Proefschrift Rijksuniversiteit Limburg, Maastricht. / Lit. opg.: p. 473-525. - Met samenvattingen in het Nederlands en Engels.

Recognition of prior learning, better known as RPL, was introduced to training institutions in South Africa after the fall of Apartheid. The objective of RPL was to redress inequalities brought about by Apartheid when disadvantaged groups had less access to training opportunities. RPL was introduced with a combination of associated training and education initiatives such as the National Qualification Framework and the South African Qualifications Authority, all directed for a similar purpose. The South African Nursing Council agreed with the principles of RPL and published a policy document aimed to guide nurse educators to enhance RPL implementation in South African nursing education institutions. Despite the support from accessible legislative and regulatory documentation, RPL is implemented insufficiently in nursing education institutions. The lack of RPL implementation was also identified by the researcher in the Limpopo College of Nursing. This College of Nursing can be described as a symbol of post-Apartheid re-integration whereby nursing colleges centralised into one administrative management office with campuses, satellite campuses and over 120 nurse educators. The research question asked was what are nurse educators’ perceptions of the implementation of RPL in nursing colleges in Limpopo Province? The aim was to support nurse educators to enhance the implementation of RPL in nursing colleges in Limpopo Province. A qualitative, phenomenological, explorative, descriptive and contextual research design was followed. Seven (n=7) individual, in-depth, unstructured interviews were conducted with nurse educators employed at the X Campus and Y Satellite Campus of the Limpopo College of Nursing. Transcribed interviews were analysed and resulted in three main themes and nine sub-themes. Firstly, the participants voiced their agreement that RPL should be implemented and identified specific benefits and challenges thereof. Secondly, there should be a RPL assessment package that should be open and transparent, be able to assess academic performance against college standards and should minimise inequalities. The third main theme was the need for enhanced awareness of RPL implementation in nursing colleges. Nurse educators lack knowledge about RPL and should therefore be more awareness thereof. In addition RPL should be promoted as a beneficial mechanism to the learning process. These results were discussed with a literature integration and in the majority of results literature confirmed these findings. Conclusion statements were formulated from the research results and served as the basis for the formulation of recommendations to support nurse educators with the implementation of RPL in nursing colleges in Limpopo Province. The recommendations were directed to firstly the policy makers in nursing education; secondly to the nursing education institutions and thirdly to the nurse educators. Areas for further research were listed. Strategies to enhance trustworthiness and the adherence of ethical considerations were supported throughout this study. / MCur, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Recognition of prior learning, better known as RPL, was introduced to training institutions in South Africa after the fall of Apartheid. The objective of RPL was to redress inequalities brought about by Apartheid when disadvantaged groups had less access to training opportunities. RPL was introduced with a combination of associated training and education initiatives such as the National Qualification Framework and the South African Qualifications Authority, all directed for a similar purpose. The South African Nursing Council agreed with the principles of RPL and published a policy document aimed to guide nurse educators to enhance RPL implementation in South African nursing education institutions. Despite the support from accessible legislative and regulatory documentation, RPL is implemented insufficiently in nursing education institutions. The lack of RPL implementation was also identified by the researcher in the Limpopo College of Nursing. This College of Nursing can be described as a symbol of post-Apartheid re-integration whereby nursing colleges centralised into one administrative management office with campuses, satellite campuses and over 120 nurse educators. The research question asked was what are nurse educators’ perceptions of the implementation of RPL in nursing colleges in Limpopo Province? The aim was to support nurse educators to enhance the implementation of RPL in nursing colleges in Limpopo Province. A qualitative, phenomenological, explorative, descriptive and contextual research design was followed. Seven (n=7) individual, in-depth, unstructured interviews were conducted with nurse educators employed at the X Campus and Y Satellite Campus of the Limpopo College of Nursing. Transcribed interviews were analysed and resulted in three main themes and nine sub-themes. Firstly, the participants voiced their agreement that RPL should be implemented and identified specific benefits and challenges thereof. Secondly, there should be a RPL assessment package that should be open and transparent, be able to assess academic performance against college standards and should minimise inequalities. The third main theme was the need for enhanced awareness of RPL implementation in nursing colleges. Nurse educators lack knowledge about RPL and should therefore be more awareness thereof. In addition RPL should be promoted as a beneficial mechanism to the learning process. These results were discussed with a literature integration and in the majority of results literature confirmed these findings. Conclusion statements were formulated from the research results and served as the basis for the formulation of recommendations to support nurse educators with the implementation of RPL in nursing colleges in Limpopo Province. The recommendations were directed to firstly the policy makers in nursing education; secondly to the nursing education institutions and thirdly to the nurse educators. Areas for further research were listed. Strategies to enhance trustworthiness and the adherence of ethical considerations were supported throughout this study. / MCur, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Customary marriages are essentially polygamous. Courts were of the opinion that the nature of customary marriages are against public policy and natural justice. The Interim Constitution, 1993 gave effect to the consequences of customary marriages in principle XIII, while section 15(3) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 allows for the recognition of marriages concluded in terms of custom. These marriages may, however not be in conflict with the Bill of Rights. Recognition was given to lobolo as the courts could not find it to be against public policy as is reflected initially in section 11 (1) of the Black Administration Act 38 of 1927 and subsequently in section 54A of the Magistrate's Court Act 32 of 1944 and section 1 of the Law of Evidence Amendment Act 45 of 1988. In 1998 the Recognition of Customary Marriages Act 120 of 1998 was promulgated to give recognition to customary marriages. In this study, the question to what extent customary marriages and the Recognition of Customary Marriages Act 120 of 1998 are consistent with the Constitution within a democratic society based on equality, freedom and human dignity is addressed. It was found that the purpose of the Recognition of Customary Marriages Act 120 of 1998 is not only to give recognition to customary marriages, but to amend the traditional customary rules which may be inconsistent with the Bill of Rights. The Act succeeds in this. / Thesis (LL.M.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2006.

Customary marriages are essentially polygamous. Courts were of the opinion that the nature of customary marriages are against public policy and natural justice. The Interim Constitution, 1993 gave effect to the consequences of customary marriages in principle XIII, while section 15(3) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 allows for the recognition of marriages concluded in terms of custom. These marriages may, however not be in conflict with the Bill of Rights. Recognition was given to lobolo as the courts could not find it to be against public policy as is reflected initially in section 11 (1) of the Black Administration Act 38 of 1927 and subsequently in section 54A of the Magistrate's Court Act 32 of 1944 and section 1 of the Law of Evidence Amendment Act 45 of 1988. In 1998 the Recognition of Customary Marriages Act 120 of 1998 was promulgated to give recognition to customary marriages. In this study, the question to what extent customary marriages and the Recognition of Customary Marriages Act 120 of 1998 are consistent with the Constitution within a democratic society based on equality, freedom and human dignity is addressed. It was found that the purpose of the Recognition of Customary Marriages Act 120 of 1998 is not only to give recognition to customary marriages, but to amend the traditional customary rules which may be inconsistent with the Bill of Rights. The Act succeeds in this. / Thesis (LL.M.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2006.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the transformation process that has taken place in the local government sphere over the past sixteen years. This process is based on the Constitution, Act 108 of 1996. Transformation applies to all areas of society, including the disabled – the focus point of this study. More specifically the focus of the study is on the effect of the transformation process on the disabled. The study was done within Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality, taking into consideration the Constitution of 1996, as well as internal policies. The main focus during this study is to emphasize the position of the disabled, focusing on recognition, basic needs, funding, promotion, careers, and the incorporation of the disabled into the Municipality. / Thesis (M. Development and Management)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the transformation process that has taken place in the local government sphere over the past sixteen years. This process is based on the Constitution, Act 108 of 1996. Transformation applies to all areas of society, including the disabled – the focus point of this study. More specifically the focus of the study is on the effect of the transformation process on the disabled. The study was done within Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality, taking into consideration the Constitution of 1996, as well as internal policies. The main focus during this study is to emphasize the position of the disabled, focusing on recognition, basic needs, funding, promotion, careers, and the incorporation of the disabled into the Municipality. / Thesis (M. Development and Management)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

A company’s success is predominantly measured by how well it does financially. Management and shareholders are interested in increased production and profits. In order to increase the profit margin, the issue of productivity needs to be addressed. Research had shown that there is a correlation between job satisfaction and productivity (Clark, 2003:1; Javed, Maqsood&Durrani, 2004:7; Syptak, Marsland&Ulmer, 1999:26). Sugarbird, a division of Pioneer Foods Pty (Ltd), one of South Africa’s leading food manufacturers, has embarked on integrating the Mission-Directed Work Team programme (MDWT programme) into Sugarbird’s daily operating activities. This programme focuses on the development and establishment of meaningful practices that can be implemented throughout an organization in order to provide management and employees with the skills to benchmark themselves against world-best practices. As the basis of this study the researcher had chosen applied research, with the aim to evaluate the impact of the MDWT programme on job satisfaction at Sugarbird and to answer the following research question: “Does the MDWT programme have a positive impact on job satisfaction?” The population considered in this study was the 100 ground-level workers at Sugarbird. On the day and time the questionnaire was administered, 79 employees (23 males and 55 females) were present on site and were included in the study. Before the MDWT programme was launched in April 2007, an internal climate survey was conducted which indicated that employees experienced low levels of job satisfaction and that communication, transparency, decision-making and acknowledgement were issues that needed to be addressed. For the purpose of this study a questionnaire was designed to determine whether the MDWT programme had an impact on these variables. The results of the study indicated that the MDWT programme does have a positive impact on job satisfaction and that employees have taken ownership of this initiative. Employees are in general satisfied with the communication strategies within Sugarbird and it is positive to note that the majority of employees trust their supervisors. The majority of employees stated that they are satisfied with the manner in which transparency at Sugarbird is dealt with. An overwhelming majority of employees think that the opinion of workers is important in decision-making regarding day-to-day activities. When focusing on general opinions of employees, a significant number of employees indicated that their opinions are not being heard. All employees are in agreement that Sugarbird has a formal incentive programme that recognises employees’ achievements and the majority of employees indicated that Sugarbird does indeed acknowledge positive inputs from employees. There is however a strong discrepancy between the acknowledgements of major- versus small accomplishments as employees are of the opinion that major accomplishments are more easily recognised. In conclusion, it could be stated that the MDWT programme do have an impact on the job satisfaction levels of employees at Sugarbird and that communication, transparency, decision-making and acknowledgement did improve due to the MDWT programme. AFRIKAANS : ‘n Organisasie se sukses hang hoofsaaklik daarvan af van hoe goed dit finansieël doen. Bestuur en aandeelhouers stel belang in verhoogde produksie en profit. Ten einde die winsmarge te verhoog moet produktiwiteit aangespreek word. Navorsing het bewys dat daar ‘n korrelasie tussen werkstevredenheid and produktiwiteit bestaan (Clark, 2003:1; Javed, Maqsood&Durrani, 2004:7; Syptak, Marsland&Ulmer, 1999:26). Sugarbird, ‘n divisie van Pioneer Foods Pty (Ltd) wat een van Suid Afrika se grootste voedselvervaardigers is, het ‘n Missie-Gefokusde Werkspan program [Mission-Directed Work Team programme (MDWT programme)] geimplementeer wat geïntegreer word in Sugarbird se daaglikse bedryfsaktiwiteite. Hierdie program fokus op die ontwikkeling en vestiging van betekenisvolle praktyke wat geïmplementeer kan word regdeur die organisasie ten einde bestuur en werknemers toe te rus met vaardighede waarmee hul hulself kan meet teenoor wêreld-beste praktyke. As basis vir hierdie studie het die navorser besluit op toegepaste navorsing, met die doelwit om die impak van die MDWT program op werkstevredenheid by Sugarbird te evalueer asook om die volgende navorsingsvraag te beantwoord: “Het die MDWT program ‘n positiewe impak op werkstevredenheid?” Hierdie studie se bestudeerde populasie was die 100 grondvlakwerkers by Sugarbird. Tydens die voltooiing van die vraelys, was daar 79 werknemers (23 manlik en 55 vroulik) teenwoordig wat almal by die studie ingesluit is. Alvorens die bekendstelling en implementering van die MDWT program in April 2007 is ‘n interne klimaatstudie gedoen wat aangedui het dat werknemers lae vlakke van werkstevredenheid openbaar het. Kommunikasie, deursigtigheid, besluitneming asook erkenning is aangedui as kwessies wat aangespreek moet word. Vir die doeleindes van hierdie studie is ‘n vraelys ontwikkel om te bepaal of die MDWT-program ‘n impak op hierdie veranderlikes gehad het. Die resultate van die studie dui aan dat die MDWTvii program wel ‘n positiewe impak op werkstevredenheid gehad het en dat werknemers eienaarskap van hierdie inisiatief geneem het. Oor die algemeen is werknemers tevrede met die kommunikasiestrategieë binne Sugarbird en is dit positief om te meld dat die meerderheid van werknemers hul toesighouers vertrou. Die meerderheid van werknemers het aangedui dat hulle tevrede is met die wyse waarop deursigtigheid by Sugarbird hanteer word en is van mening dat die opinie van werknemers belangrik geag word tydens dag-tot-dag besluite. ‘n Beduidende hoeveelheid werknemers het egter aangedui dat hulle algemene opinies nie gehoor word nie. Al die werknemers stem saam dat Sugarbird oor ‘n formele erkenningsprogram beskik wat erkenning gee aan werknemers se prestasies. Die meerderheid van werknemers het verder aangedui dat Sugarbird positiewe insette van werknemers erken. Daar is egter ‘n diskrepansie tussen die erkenning van groot- teenoor klein prestasies en die werknemers is van opinie dat groot prestasies meer geredelik erken word. Samevattend kan aangevoer word dat die MDWT-program ‘n positiewe impak op werkstevredenheid van werknemers by Sugarbird gehad het en dat kommunikasie, deursigtigheid, besluitneming en erkenning wel verbeter het as gevolg van die MDWT-program. Copyright / Dissertation (MSocSci)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Social Work and Criminology / unrestricted

The recognition of prior learning (RPL) is an assessment process through which experience gained outside academic contexts is recognised. The purpose of the research was to determine the influence the learner profile has on RPL assessment. To realise the purpose, the learner profile was described and consequently learning outcomes formulated for a portfolio workshop. The method which the study followed was a qualitative interpretative approach. The research comprised a literature study about adult learning theories that served as a theoretical framework for the study, as well as an overview of RPL assessment, followed by an empirical study. The empirical research component followed a multiple data collection method. The personal life stories of the research participants were analysed in order to compile a learner profile. The role the workshop played was determined from a learner perspective by means of an open questionnaire for participants. It included a collection of workshop photographs. Finally, the reflection of a group of RPL learners about their personal learning experiences was analysed. The research found that the learner profile included distinctive personal traits, such as motivation, task orientation, a sense of responsibility and an orientation towards the future. The nature of the learner profile as well as of informal learning gained within diverse learning contexts require directed preparation for assessment. The learners regarded the portfolio workshop as a sustainable learning process and as a transformational learning experience. The role the workshop played was multidimensional, as it served as preparation for compiling the portfolio. It also empowered and prepared the learner on a personal level for the context of tertiary education. Based on the research findings, the recommendations for an RPL approach should include the following: Firstly, the learner‟s voice should be afforded recognition. Secondly, preparation for assessment is essential. Thirdly, the preparation should follow an approach of assessment as a sustainable learning process. Finally, the learning outcomes for the portfolio workshop make a contribution to support the learners in bridging the learning contexts of informal learning and academic learning. The research makes a valuable contribution, as the empirical research shows that the holistic learner profile guides the approach to assessment. The mission of RPL to bring about transformation will only become a reality if a learner-centred approach recognises and empowers the learner on a personal and academic level. / Die Erkenning van Vorige Leer (EVL) is 'n assesseringsproses waardeur ervaring wat buite akademiese kontekste verwerf is, erken word. Die doel met die navorsing was om die invloed van die leerderprofiel op EVL-assessering te bepaal. Om die doel te bereik, is die leerderprofiel beskryf en voortvloeiend daaruit leeruitkomste vir 'n portefeuljewerkswinkel saamgestel. Die metode wat die studie gevolg het, was 'n kwalitatiewe interpretiewe benadering. Die navorsing bestaan uit 'n literatuurstudie oor volwasse leerteorieë wat as teoretiese raamwerk vir die studie gedien het, asook 'n oorsig oor EVL-assessering, gevolg deur 'n empiriese studie. Die empiriese navorsingskomponent het 'n meervoudige dataversamelingsmetode gevolg. Die navorsingsdeelnemers se persoonlike lewensverhale is geanaliseer om sodoende 'n leerderprofiel saam te stel. Die rol van die werkswinkel is vanuit 'n leerdersperspektief bepaal deur middel van 'n ope-vraelys aan deelnemers, wat 'n versameling werkswinkel-foto's ingesluit het. Laastens is die reflektering van 'n groepie EVL-leerders oor hulle persoonlike leerervaringe ge-analiseer. Die navorsing het bevind dat die leerderprofiel onderskeidende persoonlike kenmerke, soos motivering, taakgerigtheid, 'n verantwoodelikheidsin en 'n toekomsgerigtheid insluit. Die aard van die leerderprofiel, asook die aard van informele leer verwerf binne diverse leerkontekste vereis gerigte voorbereiding tot assessering. Die leerders het die portefeuljewerkswinkel as 'n volhoubare leerproses en as transformasionele leerervaring beskou. Die rol van die werkswinkel is meervoudig, aangesien dit dien as voorbereiding tot die saamstel van die portefeulje, asook die leerder op persoonlike vlak bemagtig en voorberei vir die konteks van tersiêre onderrig. Die aanbevelings tot 'n EVL-benadering behoort, op grond van die navorsingsbevindinge, die volgende in te sluit. Eerstens moet erkenning aan die stem van die leerder gegee word, tweedens is voorbereiding tot assessering noodsaaklik en derdens behoort die voorbereiding 'n benadering van assessering as 'n volhoubare leerposes te volg. Laastens lewer die leeruitkomste vir die portefeuljewerkswinkel 'n praktykgerigte bydrae om die leerder te ondersteun om die leerkontekste van informele leer en akademiese leer te oorbrug. Die navorsing lewer 'n waardevolle bydrae aangesien die empiriese navorsing toon dat die holistiese leerderprofiel die benadering tot assessering rig. Die missie van EVL om transformasie te weeg te bring, sal slegs 'n realiteit word indien 'n leerdergesentreerde benadering die leerder op persoonlike en op akademiese vlak erken en bemagtig. / Curriculum and Instructional Studies / D. Ed. (Curriculum Studies)

The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of manager behaviour on the turnover intentions of employees with scarce and critical skills in the mining industry. A cross-sectional survey design was used. A purposive sample (n = 505) was used to collect the data at a platinum operation. Questionnaires were given to employees with scarce and critical skills who fall within the C1 - D1 Patterson level range. Cronbach alpha coefficients were used to assess the reliability and validity of the measuring instruments. All the factors relating to manager's behaviour proved reliable, with the exception of feedback, and recommendations were made to improve the reliability of this specific scale. Results indicated statistically significant relationships between job satisfaction, recognition, feedback, communication from the manager and supervisor support, while a lack of job satisfaction, recognition, feedback, communication from the manager and supervisor support could be applied to predict turnover intentions of employees with scarce and critical skills. The moderating effect of supervisor social support between levels of recognition and turnover intention was supported. Based on the results obtained, conclusions were made after which recommendations were made for future research. / Thesis (M.Com. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.